Al gives Hustler the night off - but it’s nothing serious, just a sore foot
By Barry Lichter • 31 August 2019
Trainer Al Barnes has scratched Northview Hustler from his race at Albion Park tonight after an infection burst out of his foot.
“It’s nothing serious, there’s just a bit of bruising, but I didn’t want to run him when he’s not right,” Barnes said.
“He’s a bit sore, not lame, but I want to look after the horse so we’ll clean it up and keep on top of it so we don’t have any further problems down the track.”
Northview Hustler was to have contested a seven-horse race tonight, all but one of his rivals the same as he easily beat last start.
But while the race looked his for the taking, Barnes says there’s no hurry and there will be plenty more opportunities for the horse whom he expects to fashion a top record this season.
While among the 37 nominations last week for the New Zealand Trotting Cup, he will not be making the trip and will drop out when first acceptances are taken.
More news in Harness
Debbie lands Golden draw at last in her bid to give Sampson a haircut at the Park
Spiritual Bliss and Lincoln Maree add to Lincoln Farms’ gallery of Manawatu heroes
Video clue on why Lincoln Lover is tipped to go boldly fresh-up at Auckland on Friday night
A picture of Bliss but poor Harry’s arms were nearly pulled out of their sockets
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 3: Lincoln Downs
6.22pm
“She got home really well on the second night at Manawatu and gets a good draw here. There’s not much exposed form in the race so it’s hard to know how she compares but she’ll win one.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Debbie Lincoln
7.01pm
“I thought she went super again last week with no luck and we’ve got a decent draw for a change so you have to like her chances. She’s been getting in on the corners, so we’ve added a Murphy blind.”
Race 3: Tyson
7.01pm
“I was impressed by the way he hung on to Captain Sampson and Greased Lightnin last week. They’re strong sprinters and it was only a sprint up the straight. He’ll need things to go his way from six.”
Race 3: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.01pm
“It was his first run for a while last week and he probably needed another trial. But we thought we might as well race him to set him up for this week. The outside draw of eight doesn’t help.”
Race 9: Lincoln Lover
9.55pm
“He’s not as sharp as our other two but he’s a game little bugger. He’ll win races for sure.”
Race 9: Prince Lincoln
9.55pm
“I thought he went really well last week. He’d had only one trial and was a bit fresh so it was understandable that he got tired the last bit. That will tighten him up and I’m expecting him to race well. He’s trained on well since.”
Race 9: Johnny Lincoln
9.55pm
“Prince has the wood on Johnny but he’ll still go well. He found the line well last week. It was his first run for a while too, and his first as a gelding.”
